Pardis Parker
Encyclopedia
Pardis Parker is an award-winning director, writer, actor, and comedian.
.
comedy club in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and has gone on to perform at venues across North America and the UK, including the HMV Hammersmith Apollo, Hollywood Laugh Factory, Hollywood Improv, Jongleurs, Caroline's on Broadway, Gotham, Punch Line Sacramento, and The Comedy Store in both Los Angeles and London.
In 2010 he received four Canadian Comedy Award nominations, including one for Best Stand-up Newcomer, and he was named a Top 8 Finalist for Canada's Next Top Comic. In 2011 he was a Finalist for Bite TV's Stand Up and Bite Me.
Parker has performed on The Debaters for CBC Radio One, the Halifax Comedy Festival
for CBC Television, and at the world premiere of The Infidel in the UK,
In sketch comedy, Parker became the first Canadian ever to book the CBS Diversity Showcase in Los Angeles, one of 13 cast members selected from over 3000 people who were considered.
In a November 21, 2008 interview on CBC Radio's Main Street, Parker stated that the biggest influences on his stand-up comedy were Louis CK, Omid Djalili
, Dave Chappelle
, Jeremy Hotz
, and Harland Williams
.
On television, he's had roles on Little Mosque on the Prairie
, Combat Hospital
, Single White Spenny
, Really Me!
, and Moderation Town, and in film his latest role is in Rohan Fernando's indie feature, Snow.
Early life
Pardis Parker was born to an Iranian father and Sri Lankan mother in Kandy, Sri Lanka, and grew up in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Parker is a member of the Bahá'í FaithBahá'í Faith
The Bahá'í Faith is a monotheistic religion founded by Bahá'u'lláh in 19th-century Persia, emphasizing the spiritual unity of all humankind. There are an estimated five to six million Bahá'ís around the world in more than 200 countries and territories....
.
Stand-up and acting
Parker began performing stand-up at the Yuk Yuk'sYuk Yuk's
Yuk Yuk's is a national comedy club chain in Canada, owned by former stand-up comedian Mark Breslin and established in 1977 by Breslin and Joel Axler...
comedy club in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and has gone on to perform at venues across North America and the UK, including the HMV Hammersmith Apollo, Hollywood Laugh Factory, Hollywood Improv, Jongleurs, Caroline's on Broadway, Gotham, Punch Line Sacramento, and The Comedy Store in both Los Angeles and London.
In 2010 he received four Canadian Comedy Award nominations, including one for Best Stand-up Newcomer, and he was named a Top 8 Finalist for Canada's Next Top Comic. In 2011 he was a Finalist for Bite TV's Stand Up and Bite Me.
Parker has performed on The Debaters for CBC Radio One, the Halifax Comedy Festival
Halifax Comedy Festival
The Halifax Comedy Festival is an annual comedy festival held in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. The festival is sponsored by the CBC which tapes and broadcasts the comedians' sets as a series of television specials, and is usually about one week long...
for CBC Television, and at the world premiere of The Infidel in the UK,
In sketch comedy, Parker became the first Canadian ever to book the CBS Diversity Showcase in Los Angeles, one of 13 cast members selected from over 3000 people who were considered.
In a November 21, 2008 interview on CBC Radio's Main Street, Parker stated that the biggest influences on his stand-up comedy were Louis CK, Omid Djalili
Omid Djalili
Omid Djalili is a British Iranian stand-up comedian, actor, television producer and writer.-Personal life:Djalili was born in Chelsea, London to Iranian Bahá'í parents and is a Bahá'í himself...
, Dave Chappelle
Dave Chappelle
David Khari Webber "Dave" Chappelle is an American comedian, screenwriter, television/film producer, actor, and artist. Chappelle began his film career in the film Robin Hood: Men in Tights in 1993 and continued to star in minor roles in the films The Nutty Professor, Con Air, and Blue Streak. His...
, Jeremy Hotz
Jeremy Hotz
Jeremy Hotz is a Canadian actor and stand-up comedian. He has appeared on Comedy Central Presents, the Just For Laughs comedy festival, The Late Show with David Letterman, and The Tonight Show with Jay Leno...
, and Harland Williams
Harland Williams
Harland Williams is a Canadian actor, comedian, author, artist, musician and radio personality.-Personal life:Harland Reesor Williams was born on November 14, 1962, in Toronto, Ontario, to Lorraine , a social worker, and John Reesor Williams, who worked as a member of the Ontario Provincial...
.
On television, he's had roles on Little Mosque on the Prairie
Little Mosque on the Prairie
Little Mosque on the Prairie is a Canadian sitcom on CBC, created by Zarqa Nawaz and produced by WestWind Pictures. It is filmed in Toronto, Ontario and Indian Head, Saskatchewan...
, Combat Hospital
Combat Hospital
Combat Hospital is a Canadian medical drama television series, filmed in Toronto, that debuted on Global on 21 June 2011. The series was known for a time by the working title The Hot Zone before reverting to its previous title, Combat Hospital....
, Single White Spenny
Single White Spenny
Single White Spenny is a Canadian television series, that is currently airing on Showcase. The first episode aired June 2, 2011....
, Really Me!
Really Me!
Really Me is a Canadian teen situation comedy series airing on Family. It premiered on April 22, 2011 and on VRAK.TV August 31, 2011. On June 13, 2011, Family announced that the series was being renewed for a second season...
, and Moderation Town, and in film his latest role is in Rohan Fernando's indie feature, Snow.
Film and music videos
Parker's short films and music videos have screened at over 100 film festivals worldwide and amassed over 50 awards and nominations.Filmography
| Year(s) | Title | Director | Writer | Cast |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 2008 in film This is a list of all major films made in 2008.-Highest-grossing films:Please note that following the tradition of the English-language film industry, these are the top grossing films that were first released in the USA in 2008... |
Afghan | Pardis Parker, Mark Little | ||
| 2009 2009 in film The year 2009 saw the release of many films. Seven made the top 50 list of highest-grossing films, and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced that as of this year, their Best Picture category would consist of ten nominees, rather than five .- Highest-grossing films :Please note... |
What Goes Around Comes Around (music video) | Mir | ||
| 2009 2009 in film The year 2009 saw the release of many films. Seven made the top 50 list of highest-grossing films, and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced that as of this year, their Best Picture category would consist of ten nominees, rather than five .- Highest-grossing films :Please note... |
Don't Turn Around (music video) | Ghettosocks, Edgar Allen Floe | ||
| 2010 2010 in film The year 2010 saw many new films released worldwide. 2010 saw a dramatic increase and prominence in the use of 3D-technology in filmmaking and film releases after the success of Avatar in the format, with releases such as Alice in Wonderland, Clash of the Titans, Jackass 3D, all animated films and... |
Two Men, Two Cows, Two Guns | John Dunsworth, Levi Macdougall | ||
| 2010 2010 in film The year 2010 saw many new films released worldwide. 2010 saw a dramatic increase and prominence in the use of 3D-technology in filmmaking and film releases after the success of Avatar in the format, with releases such as Alice in Wonderland, Clash of the Titans, Jackass 3D, all animated films and... |
Implants | Pardis Parker, Evany Rosen | ||
| 2011 2011 in film The year 2011 is notable for containing the release of the most film sequels in a single year, at 27 sequels. The following tables list films that are in production or have completed production and will be released in the United States and Canada at some point in 2011.- Highest-grossing films :... |
The Dance | Pardis Parker, Evany Rosen | ||
| 2011 2011 in film The year 2011 is notable for containing the release of the most film sequels in a single year, at 27 sequels. The following tables list films that are in production or have completed production and will be released in the United States and Canada at some point in 2011.- Highest-grossing films :... |
The Train | Pardis Parker, Colin Mochrie |
Accolades
| Year | Award | Category | Title | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | CBC Short Film Face-Off | Best Film | Afghan | |
| 2009 | Just for Laughs | Best of Just for Laughs | Afghan | |
| 2009 | ViewFinders International Film Festival | Best Short Film | Afghan | |
| 2010 | Films in Bloom | Audience Award | Afghan | |
| 2010 | Moondance International Film Festival | Atlantis Award | Afghan | |
| 2010 | Twin Rivers Media Festival | Award of Excellence | Afghan | |
| 2010 | Atlanta Philosophy Film Festival | Audience Choice Award | Afghan | |
| 2010 | Desiderata Film Festival | Audience Award | Afghan | |
| 2010 | Screaming Ant Film Festival | Best Narrative Film | Afghan | |
| 2010 | Screaming Ant Film Festival | Featured Filmmaker Award | Afghan | |
| 2010 | Canadian Comedy Awards | Best Writing, Film | Afghan | |
| 2010 | Canadian Comedy Awards | Best Performance by a Male, Film | Afghan | |
| 2011 | Buttered Corn on the Cob Film Festival | Juror Pick | Afghan | |
| 2011 | Big Dam Film Festival | People's Choice Award | Afghan | |
| 2011 | Margaret River Shorts Film Festival | Best Film | Afghan | |
| 2011 | Imago Film Festival | 1–15 Minutes | Afghan | |
| 2011 | World Music and Independent Film Festival | Best Actor | Afghan | |
| 2011 | World Music and Independent Film Festival | Best Screenplay | Afghan | |
| 2011 | World Music and Independent Film Festival | Best Supporting Actor | Afghan | |
| 2011 | Athens International Film Festival | Best Short Narrative | Afghan | |
| 2010 | Twin Rivers Media Festival | Best Short Drama | Two Men, Two Cows, Two Guns | |
| 2010 | JamFest Indie Film Festival | Best Experimental Comedy Short | Two Men, Two Cows, Two Guns | |
| 2010 | NBC Universal Short Cuts Film Festival | Best Film | Two Men, Two Cows, Two Guns | |
| 2010 | South Dakota Film Festival | Jury Award | Two Men, Two Cows, Two Guns | |
| 2010 | TriMedia Film Festival | Best of the TriMedia Film Festival | Two Men, Two Cows, Two Guns | |
| 2010 | Wet Your Pants Comedy Film Festival | Best Short Film | Two Men, Two Cows, Two Guns | |
| 2010 | Montgomery Film Festival | Best Film | Two Men, Two Cows, Two Guns | |
| 2010 | Montgomery Film Festival | Best Comedy | Two Men, Two Cows, Two Guns | |
| 2010 | Montgomery Film Festival | Audience Award | Two Men, Two Cows, Two Guns | |
| 2010 | Canadian Comedy Awards | Best Direction, Film | Two Men, Two Cows, Two Guns | |
| 2011 | Derby City Film Festival | Best Short Film | Two Men, Two Cows, Two Guns | |
| 2011 | Griffon International Film Festival | Best Comedy | Two Men, Two Cows, Two Guns | |
| 2011 | Buttered Corn on the Cob Film Festival | Juror Pick | Two Men, Two Cows, Two Guns | |
| 2011 | Lakeshorts International Film Festival | Best Comedy | Two Men, Two Cows, Two Guns | |
| 2011 | Tallahassee Film Festival | Best Narrative Short | Two Men, Two Cows, Two Guns | |
| 2011 | World Music and Independent Film Festival | Best Director | Two Men, Two Cows, Two Guns | |
| 2011 | World Music and Independent Film Festival | Best Actor | Two Men, Two Cows, Two Guns | |
| 2011 | World Music and Independent Film Festival | Best Supporting Actor | Two Men, Two Cows, Two Guns | |
| 2011 | Santa Catalina Film Festival | Best Short | Two Men, Two Cows, Two Guns | |
| 2011 | Detroit Windsor International Film Festival | Best Short Comedy | Two Men, Two Cows, Two Guns | |
| 2010 | Twin Rivers Media Festival | Award of Excellence | Don't Turn Around | |
| 2011 | World Music and Independent Film Festival | Best Hip-Hop Music Video | Don't Turn Around | |
| 2011 | World Music and Independent Film Festival | Most Creative Music Video | Don't Turn Around | |
| 2010 | Twin Rivers Media Festival | Award of Excellence | What Goes Around Comes Around | |
| 2011 | Rincon International Film Festival | Best Music Video | What Goes Around Comes Around | |
| 2011 | World Music and Independent Film Festival | Best Director | What Goes Around Comes Around | |
| 2011 | World Music and Independent Film Festival | Best Rock Music Video | What Goes Around Comes Around | |
| 2011 | World Music and Independent Film Festival | Most Creative Music Video | What Goes Around Comes Around | |
| 2011 | World Music and Independent Film Festival | Best Cinematography | What Goes Around Comes Around | |
| 2011 | Margaret River Shorts Film Festival | Best Film | Implants | |
| 2011 | Beloit International Film Festival | Best Short Film | Implants | |
| 2011 | Playboy Imaginative Filmmakers Spotlight | Grand Prize | Implants | |
| 2011 | JamFest Indie Film Festival | Best Experimental Comedy Short | The Dance | |
| 2011 | Carmel Art and Film Festival | Best of Shorts | The Dance | |
| 2011 | PEI International Film Festival | Best Maritime Short | The Dance | |
| 2011 | Huntsville International Film Festival | Best Short Film | The Dance | |
| 2011 | SNOB Film Festival | Best Foreign Filmmaker | The Dance | |
| 2011 | Dixie Film Festival | Best Comedy | The Dance | |
| 2011 | Urban Mediamakers Film Festival | Best International Short | The Dance |
External links
News articles and interviews
- Nemetz, Andrea. "Melski lands quad at film fest". The Chronicle Herald, September 25, 2011.
- CTV Atlantic. "Halifax film scores big with audiences, film critics". CTV News, September 23, 2011.
- Oostveen, Lauren. "AFF Day 3 and 4". Zombies Ate Lauren, September 19, 2011.
- Nemetz, Andrea. "Filmmaker Parker ready to Dance at film fest Sunday". The Chronicle Herald, September 17, 2011.
- Knox, Carsten. "Film Fest Reviews | Atlantic Film Festival". The Coast, September 15, 2011.
- Knox, Carsten. "The deal with Picnicface". The Coast, September 15, 2011.
- Chronicle Herald Staff. "N.S. takes centre stage at TIFF". The Chronicle Herald, August 11, 2011.
- Knox, Carsten. "TIFF to highlight Nova Scotia talent". The Coast, August 4, 2011.
- Ravindran, Manori. "Celebrate Canada Day with Colin Mochrie and some biting stand-up". National Post, July 1, 2011.
- Chronicle Herald Staff. "Halifax’s Pardis Parker makes standup comedy finals". The Chronicle Herald, June 16, 2011.
- Johns, Stephanie. "Pardis Parker makes finals of Stand Up & Bite Me". The Coast, June 13, 2011.
- May, Geoff. "Pardis Parker Is Judges Choice For Stand Up & Bite Me Round 3". Bite.ca, June 10, 2011.
- Baru, Max. "Lakeshorts Passports". Humber Happenings, Summer 2011.
- Hardin, Char. "Two Men, Two Cows, Two Guns (2009) Short Film Review". Horrorphilia, June 6, 2011.
- Knox, Carsten. "Two Men, Two Cows, Two Guns now online". The Coast, May 31, 2011.
- Knox, Carsten. "Pardis Parker’s busy life". The Coast, May 5, 2011.
- Nemetz, Andrea. "Multi-talented filmmaker readying his next short". The Chronicle Herald, April 30, 2011.
- Knox, Carsten. "Hey Rosetta!'s The Year You Were Born video gets into NSI Online Short Film Fest". The Coast, April 19, 2011.
- Clarke, Gerard. "Tallahassee Film Festival – Friday". CinemaSinema, April 9, 2011.
- Misch, Christopher. "Review: Snow *ReelWorld Screening*". Next Projection, April 7, 2011.
- Lidstone, Dave. "Pardis Parker scores again with Afghan and Two Men, Two Cows, Two Guns". The Coast, April 6, 2011.
- Gallaudet, Bruce. "Davis Film Festival features another side of Speck". The Davis Enterprise, April 4, 2011.
- McFarlan, Emily. "Oscar nominee is tops locally". The Courier-News, April 4, 2011.
- Harvey, Dennis. "Film Reviews – Snow". Variety, March 28, 2011.
- Flinn, Sue Carter. "Jackson, Bankson, Parker nab nods". The Coast, March 18, 2011.
- McGuire, Jacob. "An interview with Pardis Parker". The Local Q, March 9, 2011.
- Ville Voice Staff. "2011 Derby City Film Fest Nominees Named". The Ville Voice, January 5, 2011.
- Budreau, Chuck. "Finalists and Acting Nominations for the 2011 Derby City Film Festival Announced". Indy Film News, January 4, 2011.
- Chronicle Herald Staff. "2010 – The Honour Roll". The Chronicle Herald, December 26, 2010.
- Andrews, Chas. "Selections Made for Derby City Film Festival". Louisville.com, December 20, 2010.
- The Amplifier. "The Derby City Film Festival Announces Selections For The 2011 Festival held in February". Bowling Green Daily News, December 20, 2010.
- Vimooz Staff. "2011 Derby City Film Festival Announces Selections". Vimooz, December 15, 2010.
- Semansky, Matt. "Town without TV". The Coast, December 9, 2010.
- Shore, Matt. "Interview: Comedian Pardis Parker". The Unstoppable Colossus, December 3, 2010.
- Chronicle Herald Staff. "Volunteers, innovators get GO awards". The Chronicle Herald, November 8, 2010.
- Adams, Trevor J. "Ready, set, go". Halifax Magazine, November 8, 2010.
- Elayadathusseril, Gloria. "Top Comic". Canadian Immigrant Magazine, November 1, 2010.
- Chronicle Herald Staff. "Halifax film named festival semi-finalist". The Chronicle Herald, September 9, 2010.
- Chronicle Herald Staff. "Halifax comedian finalist for Canada's Next Top Comic". The Chronicle Herald, August 17, 2010.
- Yahoo! Canada News. "Haligonian could be Next Top Comic". Yahoo! Canada News, August 17, 2010.
- Metro News. "Haligonian could be Next Top Comic". Metro News, August 17, 2010.
- Flinn, Sue Carter. "Pardis Parker on Implants and awards". The Coast, August 2, 2010.
- Medley, Mark. "Canadian short film wins big at festival". National Post, July 27, 2010.
- Nemetz, Andrea. "Halifax film wins awards at U.S. fest". The Chronicle Herald, July 27, 2010.
- MSN News. "Halifax film earns 3 awards at U.S. fest". MSN News, July 26, 2010.
- CBC News. "Halifax film earns 3 awards at U.S. fest". CBC News, July 26, 2010.
- Sympatico.ca News. "Halifax film earns 3 awards at U.S. fest". Sympatico.ca News, July 26, 2010.
- Yahoo! Canada News. "Local film gets 3 nods at film fest". Yahoo! Canada News, July 26, 2010.
- Haligonia.ca. "Local film gets 3 nods at film fest". Haligonia.ca, July 26, 2010.
- Metro News. "Local film gets 3 nods at film fest". Metro News, July 26, 2010.
- Midtown Montgomery Living. "Montgomery Film Festival". Midtown Montgomery Living, July 26, 2010.
- A Heart in New York. "Review: Montgomery Film Festival 2: This time its personal.". A Heart in New York, July 25, 2010.
- Springhill Record. "Making Music". Springhill Record, July 15, 2010.
- Faces Magazine. "Pardis Parker (PDF)". Faces Magazine, July 2010.
- CBC Radio. "The Debaters – Rural Immigration". CBC Radio, June 26, 2010.
- Nemetz, Andrea. "Parker up for four comedy awards". The Chronicle Herald, June 23, 2010.
- CBC.ca. "Less Than Kind leads comedy nominees". CBC.ca, June 22, 2010.
- The Comedy Network. "2010 Canadian Comedy Awards Nominees Announced". www.thecomedynetwork.ca, June 22, 2010.
- Canadian Comedy Awards. "Nominees". www.canadiancomedy.ca, June 22, 2010.
- Flinn, Sue Carter. "Pardis Parker's Afghan scores another award". The Coast, June 17, 2010.
- The Tattler. "Parker film Two Men, Two Cows, Two Guns is No. 2". The Chronicle Herald, June 3, 2010.
- Lang, Alison. "Pardis Parker fights real pain with really good comedy". The Coast, April 22, 2010.
- Cooke, Stephen. "Laughing matters". The Chronicle Herald, April 21, 2010.
- Vooght, Clare. "The Infidel: How to tell a religious joke?". The Comedy Digest, April 12, 2010.
- Cavendish, Dominic. "Which religion is funniest? Movie's online contest pokes fun at them all". The Ottawa Citizen, April 9, 2010.
- The Tattler. "Comedian Parker performs at London film premiere". The Chronicle Herald, April 8, 2010.
- Cavendish, Dominic. "Which is the funniest religion? Omid Djalili and David Baddiel talk to Dominic Cavendish about their daring new comedy 'The Infidel'.". The Daily Telegraph, April 5, 2010.
- Adams, Trevor J. "Wise guys: The hottest names in Canadian comedy take the stage at the Halifax Comedy Fest". Where | Halifax, April, 2010.
- Bernard, Chantal. "Warm Up with Laughter this Winter with the Ha!ifax Comedy Fest on CBC Television Beginning Jan. 12 at 9:30 p.m.". CBC.ca, January 6, 2010.
- Massarella, Linda. "Next in line – Pardis Parker is poised to join the ranks of Canadinan comics who made it big south of the border". The London Free Press, January 4, 2010.
- Massarella, Linda. "Next in line – Pardis Parker is poised to join the ranks of Canadinan comics who made it big south of the border". The Subury Star, January 4, 2010.
- Massarella, Linda. "Next in line – Pardis Parker is poised to join the ranks of Canadian comics who made it big south of the border". The Kingston Whig Standard, January 2, 2010.
- Massarella, Linda. "Haligonian chooses comedy over health food". The Toronto Sun, December 29, 2009.
- Massarella, Linda. "Haligonian chooses comedy over health food". The Ottawa Sun, December 29, 2009.
- Massarella, Linda. "Haligonian chooses comedy over health food". The Winnipeg Sun, December 29, 2009.
- Massarella, Linda. "Haligonian chooses comedy over health food". The Calgary Sun, December 29, 2009.
- Massarella, Linda. "Haligonian chooses comedy over health food". The Edmonton Sun, December 29, 2009.
- Massarella, Linda. "Haligonian chooses comedy over health food". 24 Hours Vancouver, December 29, 2009.
- Flinn, Sue Carter. "It's Pardis Parker time! Halifax filmmaker/actor first Canadian to be selected for CBS showcase.". The Coast, December 16, 2009.
- Flinn, Sue Carter. "Halifax comedy on the laugh track". The Coast, December 16, 2009.
- The Tattler. "N.S. comedian wins spot in CBS showcase". The Chronicle Herald, December 3, 2009.
- McLeod, Paul. "Local funnyman first Canadian picked for CBS showcase". Metro News, December 2, 2009.
- Flinn, Sue Carter. "CBC TV's Short Film Face-off follies – Local filmmakers compete for CBC production deal". The Coast, June 16, 2009.
- Conway, Michael. "ViewFinders: International Film Festival for Youth". Southender Magazine, April, 2009.
- Kay, Michelle. "Humour versus hatred: Sri Lankan immigrant creates films that express different cultural experiences". Canadian Immigrant, September, 2008.
- MacGregor, Phlis. "Afghan... a short film with an innovative approach to deal with racist graffiti". CBC Radio | In the Arts, September 15, 2008.
- Fleet, Josh. "Dwell on them for too long, and these punch lines will hurt". The SHPiEL Vol. 5, Issue 8 – Printed April 15, 2008.